Lyon stands in Real Sociedad's way again

Olympique Lyonnais will face Real Sociedad in the play-off tie, which the San Sebastian club must win if it is to qualify for the 2013/14 Champions League. The first leg will be played at the Stade de Gerland at 8:45 pm on 20th August, and the second leg is scheduled for Wednesday 28th August, at the same time.

The French outfit knocked out Real Sociedad in its last (and, to date, only) Champions League campaign, back in 2002-3, when Lyon won both legs of the last-16 tie by a goal to nil.

The draw held today, Friday, by UEFA at its headquarters in Nyon (Switzerland) has thrown up a couple of big clashes, such as PSV-Milan and Fenerbahçe-Arsenal. However, both Fenerbahçe's and Metalist Kharkiv's involvement in the competition is subject to the final CAS ruling on their possible sanctions.

Perhaps the biggest goal fest is promised by the tie which pits Scottish club Celtic against the modest Shakhter Karagandy of Kazakhstan, where the first leg will be played.